It’s National Breastfeeding Week. Or, for those of us who are currently breastfeeding, it’s just Monday. As first-time breastfeeding mamas to our little dudes (who are only one month apart), fellow contributor, Ashley, and I wanted to learn what it’s been like for each other. So, in honor of this nationally recognized week (what does that even mean?!), we decided to ask each other a few questions and share them with you, because there’s some similarities and some big differences, which only shows that breastfeeding is certainly not a one-size-fits-all experience. So here’s Part 1, my questions for Ashley.
Tell me about your start to breastfeeding, both physically and emotionally – easy, challenges, surprises, reliefs?
Physically and emotionally, I’ll be honest, it was kind of a nightmare to get started. But a worthwhile one! Since Ollie was my first, I had no idea how much better it would get as Ollie grew. As a mother it’s so easy to get tunnel vision; no matter what anyone tells you, you just kind of have to learn things for yourself, sometimes the hard way. In those early days of breastfeeding, I felt like I was chained to the bed nursing twenty-four hours a day. Just when I thought I was finished he’d cry again for more.
But I learned to love those quiet times with my little guy, and I began to see those frustrations as opportunities to meet HIS physical and emotional needs. It became less about me and my time and more about how I could love my son selflessly, which was a huge character lesson for me. I used my phone a lot early on in the nursing journey because I didn’t know what else to do–I wasn’t used to being alone in a room for that long. But later on I tried to redeem those times and use them to think, pray, and dream. Some of my most inspiring, sacred moments in life have happened in the gray rocking chair in Ollie’s nursery. I’ll always treasure those times. Now as he’s getting bigger, I don’t want them to end!
Did you have the support of your husband, family, friends and community early on? Did you seek the guidance of a lactation specialist?
Absolutely to all of those. I knew nothing about breastfeeding before having a child of my own. I wasn’t breastfed, and no one in my family or close circle of friends talked much about it until we started having kids of our own. But I knew once I got pregnant breastfeeding was the right choice for our family, and my husband and I were totally unified in that–it’s free, it’s good for the babe physically and emotionally, and I really believe it’s what our bodies were made to do. I’m thankful to have a tribe of mamas around me who agree!
My doula was especially helpful in supporting me as I learned to nurse in public. We took a little field trip to the mall and I practiced there. I have to say, the bathroom lounge at the MOA Nordstrom is a dream come true for breastfeeding!
I had mastitis twice (once when Ollie was a week old and another time when he was six months) and encountered some issues with supply. My lactation consultant was my biggest cheerleader in overcoming that. I lost almost my entire milk supply both times, but we came up with a plan to build it back up. I probably would have quit the second time around without her coming along side me to nip (no pun intended!) my supply in the bud. I’m so thankful I was able to continue nursing!
Please share your most hilarious breastfeeding moment!
That’s a tough one. I have two in mind. One is totally classic newborn: baby latches, lets milk down, comes off nipple, gets sprayed in the eye, loses his mind. Something hilarious in retrospect: the extreme measures I had to use to keep Ollie awake for nursing during his early days. I would have savored those moments had I known I’d become a 24/7 diner just a few weeks later. From 2-10 months, sleep was a distant dream!
What was the go-to show you watched in those early months of breastfeeding?
I wish I had a cultured and respectable answer like Downtown Abbey or the Discovery Channel. But I’m gonna be honest. The Kardashians kept me sane, mostly because any problem I had with nursing or mothering in general felt totally mundane compared to their drama. I’d say I used Instagram and Facebook on my phone more often than TV to feel connected during the late-night nursing sessions, though.
How would you summarize your experience breastfeeding your little man? And, how long do you think you will?
It’s been an emotional and hard but beautifully rewarding journey. I’ve learned so much about my son and his needs, myself and my needs, and how we work together to meet them both. I wouldn’t change anything about the last year. It’s been so transforming to my character. I’ve learned to trust myself and my body, something no person can teach me.
I’ve started and stopped the weaning process a few times since he was eleven months. I had a trip planned out of state without him when he turned one, so I thought I’d need to finish nursing by then. But the trip fell through so I kept going a little longer. Finally I reduced to a feeding a day, but like clockwork, Ollie got really sick, so I nursed him on demand a little longer until he got better. Now we’ve found a sweet spot, and I’m hanging on to it until the time for ending feels right. Breastfeeding is such a symbiotic relationship–sometimes it even feels like an extension of pregnancy. I’ve loved it, it’s been beautiful, but I’d really like some time having my body to myself after my pregnancy and breastfeeding journey.
If you could tell your newly postpartum self one thing about breastfeeding, what would it be?
Power through. It gets better. It also gets worse, but it always gets better. And when you’re hidden in that dark nursery with a tired, sucking baby? You’re never, ever missing out.
